St Matthew's Leyburn

Built in 1868, Leyburn Parish Church remained as a daughter church to the parish of Wensley until 1956. It is the only church built by the architect Christopher George Wray but he also designed the Docks Offices, now the Maritime Museum, in Hull and the Cairo.

The church is light and airy and many visitors comment on its peaceful atmosphere and its simple beauty. A small Prayer Chapel offers opportunity for private prayer and you may light a candle or leave a request on the prayer board for the prayers of the parishioners. Information on church and town is displayed and the building is usually open every day from Easter to the end of September.

We have drawn up ambitious plans to extend and develop the church to serve the community in the 21st century. For more details, click on Leyburn Church Reshaping

Repair to the roof drainage system was completed early this year, supported by a grant from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Work will shortly commence work on the car park and new entrance to start delivery of Phases 1 and 2 of our re-development program. We expect that toilet and servery facilities, as well as the car park, should be available around the year end. We are awaiting the result of grant applications, though are pleased to have received £1500 towards these costs from Allchurches Trust.

We will also be starting to plan significant additional repair work required to refurbish our landmark clock tower as well as replacement of the main slate roof. Separate grant applications have been submitted in connection with this work.

If you would like to support this work you are invited to click on the following link;-Re-Ordering Project or visit;-

The warm and friendly congregation is small but growing and aims to be fully involved in the life of the town, supporting the local police, medical centre and farmers as well as residents, businesses and visitors. You are assured of a warm welcome at the services.